Loom-shuttle.



R. A. TAYLOR.

LOOM SHUTTLE.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 7, I914.

Patented Aug. 17, 1915.

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ROBERT A. TAYLOR OF GREENVILLE, SOUTH CARQLINA.

LOUIE-SHUTTLE.

Application filed July 7. 1914..

To all 20710311 it may concern Be it known that 1, ROBERT A. TAYLOR, citizen of the United States, residing at Greenville, in the county of Greenville and Stateof South Carolina, have invented cer tain new and useful Improvements in Loom- Shuttles, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to loom shuttles an i more particularly to an improvement in the hand threading devices thereof.

One of the objects of thepresent invention is to provide means whereby the shuttle may be very readily threaded by hand, such means being so formed as to secure the requisite tension upon the thread.

A further object of my inventionin this connection is to provide a threading plug so formed as to carry a friction device formed of felt 'or. flannel.

A still further object of the invention .is to so construct the plug that the felt or flannel which frictionally engages the filling thread may be readily inserted or removed from the plug.

A still further object is to so form the plug that the felt or flannel inserted in the plug may become frayed on each side of the slot through which the thread passes so that the thread will drag through the frayed adjoining edges of the flannel without binding too tight.

A further object of the invention is to provide a thread guiding eyelet through which the thread passes to the exterior of the shuttle, this eyelet being so formed as to be readily put in place and cheaply made.

A further object of the invention is to so form the thread slot and eyelet. of the shuttle that the thread may be readily inserted in the eyelet but cannot become unthreaded while the shuttle is in motion inthe loom.

Other objects will appear in the course of the following description.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein Figure 1 is a top plan view of a shuttle constructed in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 3 is a cross section on the line 33 of Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the eyelet removed from the shuttle, looking toward the inner end. Fig. 5 is a perspective detail view of the friction plug and the strip of flannel used therewith, this strip being shown as removed from the plug.

Specification of Letters Eatent.

Patented Aug. 12, 1915.

Serial n0. 849,468.

Fig. 6 is a top plan view of the plug with the flannel in place therein. Fig. 7 is a sectlonal view on the line 7-7 of Fig. d. Fig.

8 is a cross sectional view of the plug with the flannel in place therein, the view extend- 1ng from front to rear. Fig. 9 is a longitudinal sectional view on the line 9-9 of.

Fig. 1. Fig. 10 is a cross section on the line 10-10 of Fig. 1.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description and indicated in all the views of the accompanying drawings by the same reference characters.

Referring to these drawings, 2 designates a shuttle of any ordinary or usual form carrying the'usual cop 3 and having the slot 4 connected by a relatively shallow slot 5 to a circular downwardly extending recess 6. From this circular recess 6 extends a vertical slot 7 which is diagonally disposed with relation to the axis of the shuttle, as shown clearly in Fig. 1, and emerges 0n the face of the shuttle at the point 8-. Intersecting this vertical slot is an approximately horizontal slot 9 which extends slightly upward and forward, as shown clearly in Fig. 2. These two slots 9 and 7 define the beak 10. All these parts are constructed in a manner similar to the same parts on ordinary shuttles, except that in the usual shuttle the slot 9 extends horizontally from the point of the beak and not slightly downward and rearward as in my construction.

Disposed in the circular recess 6 is a plug 11 which is illustrated in detail in Figs. 5 and 8, this plug comprising a cylindrical metal body, preferably of brass, this body being formed with a diametrically extending kerf l2 intersected at right angles by a diametrically disposed kerf 13. The bottom of the kerf 12 is not horizontal but is stepped downward and forward as illustrated in Fig. 8 so that the exit end of the kerf toward the point of the shuttle has its bottom lower than the entrance end of the kerf adjacent the slot 5. The bottom of the slot 5 is on the same level as the bottom of the entrance end of the kerf 12. The kerfs 12 and 13 intersect at the axial center of the plug and at this axial center the plug is formed with a longitudinally extending more 14 intersectedby these kerfs. The kerfs 13 are to receive within them a strip of" flannel or felt designated 15. The stri of flannel or felt fits closely within the erfs and is held therein and after it is placed in position the strip of felt or flannel is longitudinally slotted on the dotted line 16 for the passage of the thread, or filling. By reason ofthe fact that the axial center of the plug is cut out to form the bore 1 1 the fibers on each side of the slide 16 are frayed, so as to form what is technically known as bristles so that the thread will drag through the slit in the strip of flannel without, however, binding tootightly and cause lint to form on the thread and thus cause the thread to break. The amount of flannel which is forced into the slot will depend on the amount of friction required under any particular condition.

The plug is held in place within the recess 6 by a transverse pin 17 which is driven in through a hole 18 formed in the shuttle, this hole 18 extending entirely across the body of the shuttle and intersecting the recess 6. When it is desired to remove the plug it is only necessary to' drive out this pin, whereupon the plug may be easily removed. This permits the ready application of the flannel friction strip to the plug. Preferably, the upper face of the plug is inclined downward on each side toward the kerf 12 so as to permit the easy insertion of the thread into the kerf 12.

In the shuttle usually used on looms there.

is a perforation provided in the rear end of the'slot 9, this perforation forming an eye the shuttle at the top of said perforation.

In place of this construction I provide a metallic eyelet, illustrated in Fig., 4, and designated generally 19. This comprises a relatively short strip of metal bent to form a cylinder or tube, one margin of the strip being downwardly bent as at 20 to engage a small kerf 21 extending downward from the eyelet opening in the wood of the shuttle. As before stated, the strip is bent around to form a tube and the edge 22 of the strip is spaced from the opposite edge of the strip so as to leave a thread opening 23. The margin 22 of the strip is slightly raised above the level of the kerf, as shown clearly in Fig. 2, so that the thread or filling guided along the slot 9 will readily enter the eyelet 19. The forward wall of the inner end of the tubular eyelet, as shown in Fig. 4, projects laterally beyond the rear wall, as at 25, and isprolonged as at 26 beyond the threadslot. The inner end of the rear wall of the eyelet is beveled as at 27. The forward end of the front wall is inwardly beveled as at 28 so as to prevent the thread from rubbing against the outer end. of the eyelet.

' It will be noted from Fig. 9, that inas much as the entrance end of the kerf 12 is above the exit end of the kerf, the thread entirelythrough the slot.

Preferably, the plug 11 is made of brass or other hard metal and forms a strong brace for the shuttle and acts to prevent the r shuttle from splitting under action. The friction strip 15 prevents the filling from flying out through the thread slot and breaking the yarn filling while the loom is in motion.

My improved shuttle is very simplymade and is ithoroughly effective. in action.

The tensioning device formed by the strip 15 is particularly desirable in preventing a kinkingiyof the filling on all" hard twisted arns. y It will be noted that by slitting the strip 15, the yarn is caused to pass through the frayed edges of the strip on each side of the slit and thus is subjected to equal tension and this whether any strain is placed on the yarn or whether the yarn is being only slightly pulled from the shuttle. At the same time the frayed edge of the slit will not bind too tightly upon the yarn which would be likely to breakby forming lint upon the yarn which would obstruct its free passage.

The reason for the peculiar construction of the eyelet, as shown in Figs. 4 and 7, is

as follows :-It will be readily seen from Fig. 1 that when the thread is in the position shown by dotted lines in this figure the thread passes over and across the trithe thread is held in this position extending across this point by the tension, due to the difference in elevation of the plug and eye let. When the thread is passed through the kerfs 7 and 9 it will be guided down to' the cut or slit in the eyelet at the bottom, and just'as soon as the thread reaches this cut it will be naturally deflected through tension, so as to slip under and over the point 26 into practically a straight line from angular point 26, shown in Fig. 4: andthat form to a straight line extending from'the outside of eyelet to the point and then would have to take a V-shape,in other words take the shape of the point and under very slack conditions without any tension at all be pulled downward through the slit in the eyelet and back through groove 9. The peculiar shape which the yarn would have to assume in order to pass around the point 26 from slackness is rarely likely to hap pen, particularly with the tension plug in close relation to the eyelet and holding the thread elevated above point 26.

It is practicallyimpossible to unthread the shuttle with my improved eyelet. In order to slip the thread out through the slot 9 some tension must be applied to the thread and the slightest tension will pull the thread tight, thus holding it above point 26 by reason of the fact that the tension plug is higher than the eyelet. Furthermore, it will be noted that the outer end of the eyelet is beveled away as at 28 and the inclination of this beveled edge 28 is such that when it is attempted to pull the thread by hand down under the eyelet the angle of inclination of the thread from the plug to the outside of the shuttle is so great that the point next to the slit in the eyelet will pass under the thread instead of the thread passing under it, making it practically impossible to slip the thread into the slit of the eyelet and so pass it back into groove 9 except with some mechanical means. This inclined edge '28 is very important because if this edge was perfectly straight, that is, at all points disposed at right angles to the axis of the eyelet. the thread could then be slipped down to the slit in the eyelet and so worked back through groove 9.. Even, however if this was done the point 26 would catch the thread and break it before the thread could be unthreaded. The only chance for this shuttle to unthread is in case enough slackness forms betweenthe nose of the quill in the shuttle and the tension plug as to form a loop large enough to pass over the side and become engaged with point 10, this portion of the loop adjacent the quill being on the outside or passing down the kerI" 9 while the side of the. loop adjacent the eyelet would pass down through the kerf 7. This is just the reverse action to threading the shuttle and will unthread this shuttle or any other shuttle, when this action takes place. ln practice, however, this loop forming tendency is practically eliminated for two reasons, that the tension plug being disposed, as it is, very close to the nose of the quill, would practically eliminate the possibility of these loops forming.

The improved eyelet and the tension plug are peculiarly designed to work together, each being dependent on the other and the effectiveness of the eyelet in being used in.

conjunction with. the tension plug, as the advantage is dependent upon the plug holding the thread at a sufficient height above the eyelet as to prevent the thread passing over the point 26. lVith other forms of plug the yarn or thread might be allowed to drop down within the eyelet so low as to allow it to work around under point 26 or cause the thread to be led to the eyelet at such an angle as would make the point 26 ineifective. l urthermore, this construction of the shuttle is considerably simplified by using the form of eyelet illustrated in connection with the form of plug, for if any other form of eyelet is used'the relative positiotn of the eyelet and plug will have to be changed and either the eyelet moved forward or the plug moved backward as the plug is of such length that it would strike the eyelet before reaching its proper position.

If an ordinary eyelet were used in the position illustrated for the improved eyelet a space therefor would have to be left between the plug and any .old form of eyelet which would allow slackness to form and the chances of de-threading would be materially increased.

\Vhile l have shown an eyelet which is adapted to be used from the right-hand side of the shuttle, it will, of course, be understood that it is also adapted to be used on a left-hand shuttle, the bends on the eyelet each being reversed. The plug, oi course. will work as well upon a left-hand shuttle as on a right hand shuttle.

The tension plug which forms the subject of this specification is a preventor of roped filling being woven into the cloth, because the bristles or felt in the tension plug would choke it down and break the yarn before al lowing the roped filling to be pulled through the eyelet. The shuttles having this improved tension plug are particularly adapt 'ed to be used in box looms and on automatic looms. 0n box looms when a shuttle has put in a few picks of one color and then drops down for a number of picks the filling gets into the swing, acting with the lay, and in many cases the filling, by reason of this constant vibration without running off the filling into the cloth will cause it to slip down over the nose of the quill and in many cases, work up over the side of the shuttle and thus, the shuttle when started up sometimes becomes unthreaded, by reason of the looping over point 10. \Vith this improved plug, however, the tension felt or fiannel in the plug holds the yarn down in the groove and there being such a short distance from the nose of the quill to the tension plug, the chance for this looping, above referred to,

.is practically eliminated. This is a great advantage and where hard twisted filling is used which is liable to kink, then more felts or layers of fabric may be added in the tension plug and the kinks will be pulled out without any trouble.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is p 1. In a loom shuttle, a thread guide having a longitudinally extending relatively wide vertical kerf forming a thread channel and a transversely extending vertical kerf, the guide being'formed with a vertical bore intersectedby both of said kerfs, and a strip of fabric disposed in the transverse kerf and longitudinally slitted for the passage of the thread, said bore permitting the fraying of the fabric on each sideof the slit.

2. In a loom shuttle, a thread guide formed with intersecting longitudinally extending kerfs and a fabric strip secured in one of said kerfs and slit in line with the other kerf, said kerfs being enlarged at their intersection to admit of the edges of the fabric bordering on the slit fraying and the forward portion of the kerf in line with the slit of the fabric being of less depth than the rear portion of the said kerf.

3. A loom shuttle having a throat, a vertical rc cess deeper than the throat, a slot connecting the throat and recess, a vertically outwardly inclined kerf having its entrance end opposite said slot, and an approximately horizontal kerf intersecting the recess and the first-named kerf adjacent the bottom of the recess, the shuttle being formed with an eyelet'opening extending in from the side of the shuttle to said recess and intersected by the kerf, and a thread guiding and tensioning device disposed in said recess and comprising a body, vertically slotted for the passage of the thread, from the throat to the first-named kerf and having a transverse Y slotv intersecting the first-named slot, and a strip of fabric disposed in the second-named slot and longitudinally slitted for the passageof the thread, the first-named slot having the bottom of its entrance end level with the bottom of the slot leading from the throat and the bottom of its outlet approximately level with the bottom of the eyelet opening.

l. A shuttle having a throat, a Vertical recess deeper than the throat, a slot connectintersected by the second-named kerf at the bottom thereof, the bottom of the eyelet being longitudinally slitted, and a thread guiding plug disposed in? the recess and having a vertical slot alining the first-named kerf and the slot extending from the throat,

the bottom of the; exit end of said kerf being above the bottom of the eyelet.

5. Ashuttle having a throat, a vertical recess deeper than the throat, a slot connecting the throat and recess, a. vertical outwardly inclined kerf, and an approximately horizontal kerf extending downward and rearward and intersecting the first-named kerf and said recess, an eyelet passage extending from the side of the shuttle into said recess and tangentially intersected by the secondnamed kerf at the bottom thereof, a thread guiding plug disposed in said recess and having a vertical slot alined with the firstnamed. kerf and the slot extending from the throat, and an eyelet disposed in the eye-' let passage and having a longitudinally extending slot intersected by the second-named kerf, the inner end of the eyelet at the termination of the slot being formed with a rearwardly extending point, one edge of the point forming a continuation of the slot, the bottom of the vertical slot in theplug being on a higher level than the said point.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses. 7

ROBERT A. TAYLOR, a 8.]

\Vitnesses:

J. B. AUSTIN, EDWARD SWEET. 

